Fleetsolve says its partnership with RMB/ENERGIE is a perfectly timed response to the challenges faced by a very large majority of UK businesses as they navigate their way through a period of economic and political change and deal with the ‘energy trilemma’. These often-conflicting challenges of providing energy security, making the energy transition whilst delivering carbon reduction have reaffirmed market demand for ‘plug and play’ CHP solutions which support these challenges.
‘Period of rapid growth’
Fleetsolve says its agreement with RMB/ENERGIE is the final foundation stone in phase one of its OEM strategy which has already seen the company announce UK & Ireland partnerships with Siemens Energy and MAN Rollo. The company is in a period of rapid growth under the leadership of its founder and Chief Executive Officer Keith O’Connor with ambitions to increase its annual revenues to £150 million in the next five years.
The firm’s well-documented growth strategy is centred around the formation of strategic OEM relationships with world-leading CHP brands. In securing this partnership with RMB/ENERGIE, Fleetsolve is now able to support all industry sectors with all fuel types and all sizes of power generation and CHP, ranging from 2kW to 2MW. Specifically, this agreement covers the micro-generation market with 2kW-50kW machines aimed at smaller commercial buildings that have a requirement for power and heat.
Strengthening business-continuity
For existing users who are concerned with the impact of Brexit on parts supply and import challenges, Fleetsolve’s partnership with RMB/ENERGIE will be warmly welcomed. It enables Fleetsolve to provide support to RMB/ENERGIE’s UK user-base with UK-stocked parts, factory-trained technicians, UK-based warranty management specialist service and maintenance support. At a time when energy resilience and business-continuity are a conversation in every kind of business, both companies are hopeful that this arrangement offers the market much-needed confidence. Customers who are looking to transition to alternative, sustainable fuel sources will welcome the news that the RMB/ENERGIE systems operate on blended fuel-mixes, biogases and bio-liquids. For those aiming to move to high-blend – and, ultimately to 100% Hydrogen – they can be assured that these units are fully future-proofed.
‘Timely and necessary’
From a customer perspective, Fleetsolve views its partnership agreement with RMB/ENERGIE as both timely and necessary. Within the context that 28% of total global carbon emissions produced are emitted during the operational phase of a building’s lifecycle (i.e. energy needed for heating, cooling and power), Fleetsolve believes more market awareness is needed of the role micro-CHP can play in decarbonising commercial buildings and estates.
Additionally, with data** (published August 2022) from the Confederation of British Industry suggesting almost 70% of UK firms expect energy bills to rise in the next three months, and nearly a third expect rises of more than 30%, it is clear alternative solutions are needed to ensure business continuity.
In response, Fleetsolve has forged this OEM partnership with market-leaders RMB/ENERGIE to provide a full package of support to energy users that are looking to integrate micro-CHP into their technology portfolios. This includes commercial landlords/operators with buildings sized up to 50,000ft2. The company anticipates high levels of interest from operators of gyms, hotels and care homes. Demand is also expected from owners of mixed-use developments of around 25,000ft2 – many of which are impacted by energy performance implications of the recently updated Part L of the (UK) Building Regulations.
With many firms having already implemented ‘low hanging fruit’ energy retrofits, the company says there is a definite appetite for the next level in decarbonisation. The recent energy tariff price-hikes have prompted a return to gas-fuelled solutions as a commercially attractive option for applications where energy resilience and reliable heat/power operation is essential to business continuity. Fleetsolve believes demand for flexible, reliable and ‘plug & play’ CHP solutions is further underpinned by the impact of the Pandemic on building use. Over the last 24 months, it has witnessed an increased interest for smaller-scale units that can operate in parallel or stand-alone, delivering reliable heat and power in response to changing patterns of energy demand.
‘Accelerating the energy transition’
Commenting on the partnership, Fleetsolve’s CEO and Founder Keith O’Connor said:
“We are deeply committed to supporting UK firms at a time of intense uncertainty and challenge in relation to energy and business continuity. Our partnership with RMB/ENERGIE opens new opportunities and responds this clear market need. Micro-CHP not only offers cogeneration benefits, it delivers a reliable solution to decarbonisation – and to other elements of the energy trilemma. This is what British firms need right now; confident, competent and experienced partners who ‘get’ their challenges and can offer a tried, tested and reliable solution.
“It is important to add, that this Partnership is also a meeting of minds; we welcome this opportunity to work closely with a business that shares our vision for a more sustainable future. It is clear there is a perfect fit between us; our OEM strategy champions best in class technology partnerships and world-class customer service – and this is precisely what RMB/ENERGIE stands for too.“What brings us even closer together is RMB/ENERGIE’s own focus on decarbonising society, as articulated through its 2021 brand statement, A Sustainable Future. It aligns perfectly with our own perspectives and passion for accelerating the energy transition and decarbonisation. Looking forward, the future is brighter, greener and one in which our collaboration and partnership will deliver results for a much wider range of customers. We are very proud to start this exciting journey; and we are delighted to be able to work together with a global leader that shares our commitment to low carbon innovation.”
RMB Energie Managing Director, Henning Brake echoes Fleetsolve’s sentiments:
“By partnering with such a forward looking and high-growth bioenergy company such as Fleetsolve, we can further expand our market presence in the UK and Ireland. Their quality, knowledge and experience in supporting CHP customers makes them the ideal partner.”
